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England have left decisions open for the series opener by selecting off-spinner the young spinner in a 12-man squad together with five fast bowlers

The fast bowler has been passed fit and seems set to play versus the Aussies in Perth on Friday, with the final decision likely involving spinner Bashir and pace bowler the seamer

Wicket Factors

If England opt for an fast bowling unit - four dedicated bowlers plus all-rounder the captain - it would arguably be the most rapid assembly of bowlers they have fielded in an Ashes match in the host nation

Recently WA pitch curator McDonald said to look for "fast and bouncy conditions" from the wicket at Perth Stadium, and it appears probable England will adhere to a long-standing plan of an fast bowling focus

But the tourists have also noted a lack of moisture to the surface, placing Bashir into consideration

Slow Bowling Factors

In the short history of this venue - five prior matches have been hosted here - Australian spin bowler Nathan Lyon is the leading wicket-taker with 29 dismissals

England have backed Shoaib, 22 years old, as their main slow bowler for over twelve months and in spring he became the most youthful English bowler to reach fifty wickets in international Tests

However he has not played a competitive game following taking the concluding scalp in a exciting triumph over the Indian team in the third match at the famous ground in summer

Recent Challenges

He has been suffering from a hand problem and had challenges in England's only warm-up match against the Lions, posting combined figures of 2 for 151 from his bowling spell

This creates the prospect of him playing in an Test against Australia without being attached to a county

His contract at the domestic team ended at the finish of the English season

Likely Lineup

However, an English side including Mark Wood, Archer, Atkinson, captain Stokes and Carse - each of whom are likely to hit 90mph - remains the most likely outcome

The opening match begins at early morning GMT on Friday, with instant commentary, expert analysis and live action clips provided

Team Selection

Selected players for initial Ashes match: Ben Duckett, Crawley, Ollie Pope, Root, Harry Brook, Stokes (captain), Smith (wk), Atkinson, Brydon Carse, Wood, Archer, Shoaib Bashir

Historical Context

Even though a number of English Ashes victories at home and abroad have been constructed around fast bowling, they have not previously selected as multiple quick bowlers in the identical lineup

The team that triumphed at in England in the celebrated contest of 2005 included Harmison, Simon Jones and Andrew Flintoff

Illingworth's triumphant visitors to the host nation in 1970-71 had Willis, Peter Lever and John Snow, and the visiting team that won in those seasons contained Statham and Frank 'Typhoon' Tyson

Present Circumstances

This time around - potentially the most exciting England-Australia contests in recent memory - the English team are hoping to overturn an difficult past - they have been unable to secure a Test match in the host country since over a decade ago

Merely five individuals of the extended squad have played a Test match in Australia, but Atkinson comments that could help the visitors

"It could be an positive," he mentioned to the press

"We've seen a numerous athletes who have said they have had difficult experiences here in Australia

"In our case, we are a quite calm, extremely confident squad

"No scarring

"It's very exciting

"We all see it as a great possibility to create history"

Australian Preparations

Australia's training on this week was momentarily paused by the possibility of bad weather

Australia are probably going to provide an opportunity to opener Jack Weatherald, with yet to debut seamer Brendan Doggett also being included following fitness concerns to captain Pat Cummins and teammate Hazlewood